Biodegradable macromolecular conjugates of citropin: Synthesis, characterization and in vitro efficiency study

The effective synthesis of citropin-polymer conjugates was described in this paper. The obtained biodegradable polymeric matrices and polymeric conjugates were characterized using 1H or 13C NMR and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies, gel permeation chromatography and scanning electron microscopy. Toxicity of polymers was evaluated with bacterial luminescence test and two protozoan assays. The in vitro release study of citropin from the obtained conjugates was investigated. The preliminary results of antimicrobial activity of the obtained macromolecular conjugates against Bacillus anthracis, Enterococcus hirae and Staphylococcus aureus were also discussed. The peptide had a high level of antimicrobial activity during 3-5 weeks of the degradation process. The development of biodegradable citropin systems should be of a great interest in the delivery systems of antimicrobial agents.